The Porepunkah Drainage Strategy Update is a crucial tool to minimise stormwater drainage and riverine flooding impacts on Porepunkah.
What is the Porepunkah Drainage Strategy Update?
The Porepunkah Drainage Strategy Update is a comprehensive review and improvement of the stormwater drainage system in Porepunkah. The updated strategy aims to enhance flood modelling and risk management to address future urban development and climate change impacts.
Key updates include updated hydrological and hydraulic modelling, integration of Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) principles, and alignment with community and environmental needs.
Background
A Draft Porepunkah Drainage Strategy was prepared in 2022 to manage stormwater drainage and flooding challenges in the township. The recent updates to the Australian Runoff and Rainfall Data have meant that the draft strategy has had to be rerun.
The updated strategy has used this opportunity to incorporate advanced modelling techniques, consider future development scenarios, and emphasise environmental sustainability principles.
The updated strategy focuses on ways to manage stormwater drainage runoff for existing built areas and future growth areas in Porepunkah to ensure it does not exacerbate the existing stormwater drainage network.
Why is the updated strategy important?
Updated flood modelling will help the community prepare for more frequent and intense storm events, reducing risks to properties and infrastructure. Additionally, the updated strategy supports sustainable urban growth by ensuring new developments do not exacerbate existing stormwater drainage challenges.
Environmental sustainability is another vital component of the updated strategy. By integrating WSUD principles, the updated strategy aims to improve water quality, promote urban cooling, and enhance biodiversity, all while preserving the local landscape.
By incorporating future climate scenarios for 2050 and 2100, the updated strategy also aims to ensure that Porepunkah is resilient to changing weather patterns and extreme weather events. Through localised community consultation, the updated strategy also reflects the needs and values of the local population, aligning future planning with their priorities.
How will the updated strategy be used?
The updated drainage strategy will act as a roadmap for managing future growth and infrastructure upgrades across Porepunkah. It will guide planning and development, ensuring compliance with flood management and WSUD requirements. The updated strategy will also support prioritising infrastructure upgrades, such as stormwater drainage systems and flood mitigation measures.
The updated strategy will also serve as a resource for community engagement, educating residents about flood risks and stormwater drainage management solutions, while incorporating their feedback into ongoing and future initiatives.
What are the next steps?
The updated strategy is in its early stages and consultation will commence in 2025 to learn from residents how stormwater drainage issues and flooding affects them.